Prui

Name & Purpose Prui is a blindfolded group-finding game. Players wander, make gentle contact, and ask a single word to find a silent, growing chain. The game builds trust, careful movement, and group awareness. Everyone ends up connected.

a.k.a. The Growing Chain | Magical Animal

Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space Ages 8–16 | 12–40 players | 10–15 minutes | Medium open area free of trip hazards (gym, field, large indoor room)

Materials

• One blindfold per player
• Optional: soft boundary markers (cones or rope) to define the play area

Quick-Run Card Blindfold everyone. Tap one player secretly — they are the Prui (eyes open, silent). Players wander and bump gently, asking “Prui?” Anyone who answers is not the Prui. The Prui stays silent. When a player gets no answer, they grab the silent player’s hand, open their eyes, and join the chain. The chain grows from the ends only — new players attach at the tip, not the middle. Game ends when all players are linked.

Setup & Boundaries

1. Clear the play area of chairs, bags, and anything players could trip over.
2. Define a boundary — a circle of cones works well.
3. Hand a blindfold to every player. Have them put it on and confirm they cannot see.
4. Walk quietly to one player, tap their shoulder, and whisper “You are the Prui.” That player opens their eyes and stays silent for the whole game.
5. Tell the group: “Wander gently. When you bump into someone, ask ‘Prui?’ If they answer back, keep looking. If they say nothing, grab their hand, open your eyes, and you are now part of the Prui.”
6. Remind everyone: move slowly, hands out in front, no running.

How to Play

1. On “Go,” all blindfolded players wander slowly with hands raised at chest height as bumpers.
2. When two players meet, they each ask “Prui?” If both answer, both keep walking.
3. When a player bumps into the Prui (silent) or the Prui’s chain, they ask “Prui?” and hear nothing.
4. They take that person’s hand, open their eyes, and become part of the chain.
5. The chain grows. New arrivals must find and attach to the far end of the chain — not the middle.
6. Sighted chain members can gently guide wanderers toward the ends by staying still and quiet.
7. The game ends when every player holds a hand in the chain. Celebrate together.

I-OPt Roles Run at least three of these at the same time to keep everyone engaged:

• Wanderer (all players at start): Move slowly through the space with hands up. Search by asking “Prui?” Attach to the chain when found.
• Prui Anchor (1 player, secretly chosen): Stand still or move slowly. Stay silent. Make it easy for searchers to find you without running away.
• Chain Tip (end players of the growing chain): Stay near the edge of the play area. Hold still so new players can attach. Guide wanderers by squeezing the hand at your end to signal “here.”
• Chain Body (middle chain players): Hold hands steadily. Shift gently to keep the chain from tangling. No pulling or yanking.
• Spotter (optional counsellor role): Keep eyes open. Step in if a player heads toward a boundary or trips. No speaking — use light physical redirection only.

Inclusion Supports

• Players with balance concerns may hold a counsellor’s elbow instead of wearing a full blindfold and wandering alone.
• Players who cannot tolerate blindfolds may close their eyes and hold a counsellor’s hand throughout, joining the chain when led to it.
• Players with hearing impairments: use a light two-finger tap on the forearm as the “Prui?” signal, and no tap in return means “I am the Prui.”
• Keep the space small enough that no player wanders alone for more than 90 seconds.
• Pair anxious players with a sighted buddy counsellor from the start.

Stewardship Action: After the game, ask two volunteers to collect and stack blindfolds neatly in a basket for the next group. Reflection (30 seconds): “Think of one moment when you had to trust someone you couldn’t see. What made that easier?”

Consent Pre-brief: Before blindfolds go on, say — “You’ll be touching other players’ hands and bumping shoulders. That’s the whole game. If at any point you don’t want a blindfold, tell me and we’ll find another way for you to play. Nobody is left out.” Mid-game check-in: After about 5 minutes, call a brief pause: “Thumbs up if you’re good to keep going, thumbs sideways if you need a break.” Players with thumbs sideways step to the edge with a counsellor. Opt-out / re-entry: Any player can remove their blindfold and become a Spotter at the boundary. They can re-enter the next round as any role they choose.

Risks & Mitigation

Risk	Likelihood	Mitigation
Player trips or falls while wandering	Medium	Clear all hazards before play; keep pace slow; enforce “hands up” bumper rule
Player panics under blindfold	Low–Medium	Normalise opt-out in pre-brief; check in at 5 minutes; offer buddy escort option
Chain players yank newcomers’ arms	Low	Remind chain players: hold gently, no pulling; counsellor monitors chain
Players crowd at Prui causing a pile-up	Medium	Remind searchers to attach to chain ends only; chain members spread out
Player removes blindfold and spoils game	Low	Frame opt-out as honourable — become a Spotter, same respect

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Slow-Motion Wander: Spend 2 minutes walking at half speed around the space with eyes open, acknowledging everyone you pass with a nod. Then try with eyes closed and one hand out.
• Name-and-Bump: Walk normally, bump shoulders gently with anyone you meet, say their name, keep going. Gets everyone used to contact and naming before blindfolds go on.

Debrief What? “What happened in the game? Describe a moment where you felt unsure.” So what? “What did it feel like when you finally found the Prui? What helped you trust the chain once you joined it?” Now what? “Where else at camp — or in your life — do you have to trust people you can’t fully see or check? What makes that easier?”

Cleanup & Reset

1. Players hand blindfolds to a designated collector.
2. Check blindfolds for knots or damage — replace any that are broken.
3. Return blindfolds to the equipment bag.
4. Walk the space once to confirm no objects were dropped.
5. Reset boundary markers to storage.